There’s a myth floating around that the multibillion-dollar wedding industry is recession-proof. Now that the recession here has come and gone, how did vendors in Edmonton fare?

The Bridal Conference kicked off the 2010 wedding season yesterday, and starry-eyed brides flooded Northlands searching for inspiration and deals from 90 vendors. Business owners said they were generally unfazed by the economic downturn.

Photographer Bill Cowen said the past season was a bit slower than previous years, but every couple he booked picked his high-end package, worth over $4,000.

Emma Fortier of Special Event Rentals said she’s still busy, but says budget-conscious brides are getting “creative and crafty,” especially as the eco-chic trend gains popularity.

She said some brides picked branches from their backyard as an organic, yet still beautiful, alternative to elaborate centerpieces. Roxanne Kits of Bake Me a Cake said the number of cakes she sold last year didn’t decrease, but many brides used decorated Styrofoam layers for display and served sheet cake to save money.

“Flowers are one of the little luxuries people are willing to spend on,” said Rosella Mandau of Studio Bloom.

She said instead of scrimping on flowers, brides cut the size of their bridal party.